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πŸ’° Southern Methodist University Merit Scholarships

Total Scholarships
23
Automatic
11
In-State Awards
$2,000-$43,000/yr
Out-of-State Awards
$2,000-$43,000/yr
Multi-Year Awards
$60,000-$120,000 total
Typical Requirements for Automatic Merit
Requirements vary by scholarship

Southern Methodist University offers 23 merit scholarships. Awards run $2,000-$43,000/yr for out-of-state students. Against tuition of $59,500, students receiving the largest award pay about $16,500 a year before other aid.

What you'd actually pay at Southern Methodist University

Tuition & fees
$59,500
βˆ’
Largest annual award
$43,000
=
Students receiving it pay about
$16,500/yr

Tuition and fees only β€” housing (about $19,064), books and travel are extra. Awards must still be won and may carry renewal conditions. Need-based aid is separate and may reduce this further.

Official Scholarship Information
View complete details on Southern Methodist University's website
Visit School Website β†’

Automatic merit scholarships at Southern Methodist University β€” no separate application

11 awards granted on your admission application, based on GPA and test scores.

Dedman College Scholars Program
Award
$15,000 in-state
$15,000 out-of-state
"Award amount: Up to $15,000 per year."
Eligibility: "For incoming, first-year students with a primary major in Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences who qualify for the University Honors Program (UHP)."
Source β†—
Edwin L. Cox School of Business BBA Scholarship
Eligibility: "Scholarships awarded to incoming students from the Cox School are limited to students selected as B.B.A. Scholars. These scholarships are normally renewable for up to four years, provided the recipient maintains full time enrollment, a 3.00 GPA, and a business major."
Source β†—
Founders' Scholarship
Award
$60,000 in-state
$60,000 out-of-state
"Award amount: A maximum of $60,000 payable up to $15,000 per year or $7,500 per semester for eight semesters or four years or graduation  whichever occurs first."
Eligibility: "For incoming, first-year students who demonstrate outstanding academic success and are identified as potential leaders in the classroom at SMU."
Source β†—
J. Lindsay Embrey Excellence and Engineering Scholarship
Award
$8,000-$20,000 in-state
$8,000-$20,000 out-of-state
"Award amount: Typically $8,000 to $20,000 over a four-year period."
Eligibility: "For the top pre-engineering students in every admitted class who are expected to make a difference in the world. Must list an Engineering discipline as a primary academic interest and apply for admission by the January 15 Regular Decision/Early Decision II deadline."
Source β†—
Lyle Engineering Scholarship
Award
$2,500 in-state
$2,500 out-of-state
"Award amount: $2,500 per semester for eight semesters on average."
Eligibility: "For the top engineering students in every admitted class who show outstanding academic and leadership abilities. Must list an Engineering discipline as a primary academic interest and apply for admission by the January 15 Regular Decision/Early Decision II deadline."
Source β†—
Meadows Artistic Merit Scholarships
Eligibility: "Entering first-year and transfer students majoring in Art, Dance, Film & Media Arts (B.F.A.), Music, or Theatre, and who have been admitted to SMU and to Meadows via audition or portfolio submission are considered for renewable artistic merit scholarships."
Source β†—
National Merit and National Achievement Scholarships
Award
$5,000 in-state
$5,000 out-of-state
"Award amount: Up to $5,000 annually for eight semesters or graduation  whichever occurs first."
Eligibility: "For students who have been named a National Merit or Achievement recipient."
Source β†—
Provost Scholarship
Award
$120,000 in-state
$120,000 out-of-state
"Award amount: A maximum of $120,000 payable up to $30,000 per year or $15,000 per semester for eight semesters or four years or graduation  whichever occurs first."
Eligibility: "For incoming, first-year students who demonstrate exceptional academic credentials and personal achievement."
Source β†—
Second Century Scholars
Award
$80,000 in-state
$80,000 out-of-state
"Award amount: A maximum of $80,000 payable up to $20,000 per year or $10,000 per semester for eight semesters or four years or graduation  whichever occurs first."
Eligibility: "For incoming, first-year students who demonstrate exceptional academic credentials and personal achievement."
Source β†—
SMU Distinguished Scholarship
Award
$100,000 in-state
$100,000 out-of-state
"Award amount: A maximum of $100,000 payable up to $25,000 per year or $12,500 per semester for eight semesters or four years or graduation  whichever occurs first."
Eligibility: "For incoming, first-year students who demonstrate outstanding academic credentials and personal achievement."
Source β†—
University Scholars
Award
$40,000 in-state
$40,000 out-of-state
"Award amount: A maximum of $40,000 payable up to $10,000 per year or $5,000 per semester for eight semesters or four years or graduation  whichever occurs first."
Eligibility: "For incoming, first-year students who demonstrate exceptional academic credentials and personal achievement."
Source β†—

Other scholarships at Southern Methodist University (12)

These require a separate application, or the school does not publish their eligibility criteria.

Dallas College Erin Tierney Kramp Encouragement Endowed Scholarship
"Award amount: Full tuition and general student fee for five terms."
Eligibility: "For Dallas College students who are transferring to SMU."
Source β†—
Discovery Scholarship
$9,000
"Award amount: $9,000 per year on average."
Eligibility: "For students who have indicated primary academic interest in certain STEM disciplines."
Source β†—
International Baccalaureate (IB) Scholarships
$30,000
"Award amount: A maximum of $30,000 payable up to $7,500 per year or $3,750 per semester for eight semesters or four years or graduation  whichever occurs first."
Eligibility: "For students who complete the IB Diploma Program."
Source β†—
Minister's Family Tuition Awards (United Methodist Church)
$3,500
"Award amount: up to $3,500 per semester for eight semesters or four years or graduation  whichever occurs first for undergraduate students."
Eligibility: "For dependent undergraduate children or spouses of ordained ministers of the United Methodist Church who are engaged in active pastoral work and dependent children of retired or deceased United Methodist ministers."
Source β†—
Dallas County Mustang Scholarships
"Award amount: Full tuition and general student in combination with other financial aid offerings. A housing scholarhip is offered to students living on campus (up to Double Occupancy rate and The Works Plus $200 Flex dining Plan). Plus, mentorship through this cohort-based experience."
Eligibility: "For select local students who graduate from a high school located in Dallas County."
Source β†—
Dallas County Promise Scholarships
"Award amount: Full two-year SMU scholarship after earning an Associate degree from Dallas College."
Eligibility: "For future leaders of Dallas County who commit to following a path from high school to Dallas College before attending SMU."
Source β†—
Nancy Ann and Ray L. Hunt Leadership Scholars Program
"Award amount: Students receive about 75% of tuition and fees, plus one study abroad experience during May term of sophomore year. Scholarship is awarded for eight semesters or four years or graduation  whichever occurs first."
Eligibility: "For incoming, first-year students who have demonstrated extraordinary leadership in their high schools, as well as academic achievement."
Source β†—
North Dallas High School Robert H. Dedman SMU Scholarship
"Award amount: Full tuition and general student fee, including a housing and dining scholarship (up to Double Occupancy rate and The Works Plus $200 Flex dining Plan)."
Eligibility: "For select students who graduate from North Dallas High School."
Source β†—
North Texas Community College Scholarship (Transfer)
"Award amount: Full tuition and general student fee for up to five terms."
Eligibility: "For students transferring from Collin College, Dallas College, Grayson College, Navarro College, North Central Texas College, Tarrant County College and Trinity Valley Community College and completing the admission application by April 1 (fall term entrants only)."
Source β†—
Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Supplemental Scholarship
$2,000
"Award amount: $2,000"
Eligibility: "For active Phi Theta Kappa members who are transferring to SMU."
Source β†—
President's Scholar Award
"Award amount: Full tuition and fees, plus one study abroad experience. On-campus students also receive a housing scholarship."
Eligibility: "For incoming, first-year students who have demonstrated a remarkable level of academic achievement."
Source β†—
Tuition Exchange (TE) Program at SMU
$43,000
"For the 2025-26 academic year, eligible undergraduate students can receive up to $43,000 for the academic year."
Eligibility: "To qualify, you must: 1. Be the dependent of a faculty or staff member who works at a that qualifies according to your home universities Tuition Exchange rules. ... 2. Apply to SMU. 3. You must be admitted to the university to be considered for a TE spot. 4. Complete the application steps below."
Source β†—

Deadlines that affect merit consideration at Southern Methodist University

Early Action
11/15/2025
Regular Decision
Rolling

Common questions about Southern Methodist University scholarships

How much merit aid does Southern Methodist University give?

Published awards range $2,000-$43,000/yr. Southern Methodist University lists 23 merit scholarships in total.

Does Southern Methodist University give merit scholarships to out-of-state students?

Yes. Awards for out-of-state students run $2,000-$43,000/yr.

Is there a full-ride scholarship at Southern Methodist University?

Not a full ride. The largest published award covers about 72% of tuition.

When is the scholarship deadline at Southern Methodist University?

Merit consideration usually follows the admission deadline, which is 11/15/2025. Confirm scholarship-specific dates with the financial aid office.

πŸ’‘ Tip: Award amounts and cutoffs change year to year. Confirm current figures with Southern Methodist University's financial aid office before making decisions β€” or check their scholarship page.

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